Vision and values

EDS is neutral (non-religious, non-political) and welcomes everyone. Our activities are free with no tuition fees. Our target group is vulnerable children and youth and economically poor people.

Our vision is a global community where every child and youth feel loved, valued and empowered to create positive change for sustainable development. Where education sparks curiosity, imagination, critical thinking and a love for themselves, their family, community and their environment.

Our mission is to empower children and youth to be change agents for sustainable development based on the UN child and human rights.

Our EDS principles guide our practice:

1.    Every child is a valuable resource who can contribute to a more humane world and a sustainable development.

2.    Create a child friendly learning environment in EDS, at home, at school and in the community.

3.    Children develop as holistic human beings. They get responsibility to run EDS and develop life skills through learning by doing.

4.    Children become honest, reflective change agents and leaders who give other children education, support and guidance.

5.    Children advocate for child and human rights and motivate parents, schools, politicians and bureaucrats to create a safe and child friendly environment where children are heard and seen.

6.    EDS and international children/youth crate shared understanding and inspire and motivate each other about education, to believe in own ability to learn and be change agents for sustainable development.

7.    We develop EDS through action research/learning and share our findings through scientific publications.

We have faith in the transformative potential of each child and youth. Hence, to bring out their potential, we practice the living values love, social justice, democracy, joy and freedom. Through action-reflection cycles, we research how we practice and develop our values with professors from the University of Cumbria, UK, and the NMBU, Norway. In the process, we develop compassion, commitment, endurance and integrity. See more on how we practice our living values: EDS gp page 120125

Children and youth have enormous energy. They are naturally curious, interested to explore, learn, to be of service, feel valued and belonging. We mentor them to channel their energy into building a supportive EDS community where they learn though play, teaching and mentoring others. They go outside their comfort zone and discover they are able to learn, do and be more than they thought possible. We care for each other, the nature and our community.

Together we create a more humane world.